Identity Criminals Target People’s Generosity with Ukraine Charity Scams
Home Help Center Identity Criminals Target People’s Generosity with Ukraine Charity Scams
- Criminals are using fake profiles to ask for “donations” from unsuspecting victims as part of a Ukraine Charity Scam. They are also posing as charities in hopes of stealing your personal information.
- Identity criminals are targeting people through social media, email and phone with fake websites, fake profiles, bogus fundraisers and malicious links.
- There has been an increase in social media takeover scams, where fraudsters impersonate real people to attack others on the victim’s friend list. There’s been a rise in online fraud since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that has increased since the crisis in Ukraine.
- To avoid a Ukraine charity scam, be on the lookout for bogus messages and ignore them. Also, protect your personal information by not sharing it with people you do not know and taking steps to protect your online accounts.
- If you want to learn more or believe you are the victim of a Ukraine charity scam, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center. You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by calling 888.400.5530 or using the live-chat function on our website idtheftcenter.org.
Professional criminals typically look to use disasters as an opportunity to exploit others. The current situation in Ukraine is no different. Recently, fraudsters have been taking advantage of the crisis in Ukraine to launch Ukraine charity scams. They impersonate people and organizations using fake profiles and websites to gain the trust of victims and steal their personal and financial information, as well as their money.
Who are the Targets?
Social media users; Phone users; Email users; People donating to Ukrainian relief efforts
What is the Scam?
Identity criminals are striking with different twists on Ukraine charity scams. In one version, criminals hijack social media accounts (or create fake ones posing as other people) and use direct messaging to ask for “donations” and personal information from unsuspecting victims. In another version of the Ukraine charity scam, fraudsters pose as fake charities and organizations in hopes of stealing money and sensitive information. Scammers may use phishing tactics to get you to click on a malicious link or download a file with malware, or call you and try to get you to give up information and money.
What They Want
Fraudsters want access to your social media accounts, particularly Instagram, to steal your financial and personal information. They also want you to give up your sensitive information and money while “giving to a Ukraine relief effort.”
How to Avoid Being Scammed
- Be on the lookout for bogus social media posts, messages, emails and websites. If a charity or fundraiser seems legitimate, it doesn’t mean it is. It could still be a Ukraine charity scam. Only give to a charity you know and trust. Do your research to determine that you are donating to a legitimate and established charity. If you get unsolicited messages from someone about a fundraiser that you are not expecting, ignore it. Don’t give out any personal or financial information, money, or click on any links. Instead, reach out directly to the person or organization to confirm the validity of the fundraiser.
- Be skeptical of what you see. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of unsolicited messages you receive (via email and social media), and verify the identity of the person contacting you, especially if you do not know them personally. Report all identity criminals and fraudulent activity to the appropriate social media platform, company and government agency like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local law enforcement.
- Protect your personal information. Keep your sensitive information secure by trying to keep your profiles private, if possible. Also, use 12+ character unique passphrases for each account. It is easier to remember and harder for a criminal to crack. Finally, never give your Social Security number (SSN) or other personal information like bank account information and passwords in response to a charitable solicitation. Review the charity’s privacy policy to find out if your information will be shared with outside companies.
To learn more about Ukraine charity scams, or if you believe you were the victim of a Ukraine scam, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center toll-free by calling 888.400.5530. You can also visit the company website to live-chat with an expert advisor. Go to www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.
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